The days are finally getting a little longer, but the last bit of winter is holding on! Last week, 49 of the 50 states had measurable snow on the ground. Some days it seems like it will never warm up again. With many states having record snow fall and low temperatures, it’s not uncommon for the winter blues to set in. These tips, which I found on Wikihow, will help you fight those winter blues:
- Have your bedroom light turn on a half hour before your alarm clock. Plugging a bright, fluorescent lamp into a timer and having it turn on before you are supposed to get up will help simulate an artificial dawn.
- Get up early, open the curtains or go outside. Maximize your exposure to sunlight.
- Exercise! One hour of exercise outside can be extremely therapeutic. It will raise your serotonin levels, which tend to get low in the winter.
- Control your cravings. Your body tends to crave foods high in carbohydrates when your serotonin levels get low. Don’t let those cravings go straight to your hips!
- Take a multivitamin with vitamin D-3 daily. This will help increase your energy level if you are feeling sluggish.
- Embrace winter! Take up a winter activity – cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, hockey, sledding, or winter photography. These are all great ways to enjoy winter.
Hopefully soon, the cold and snow will be a distant memory. The end of the long winter is in sight and spring is just around the corner!